Sealed

Part 4 - Home

 Once they had their water guns prepped, they started out. Alice had her map out, leading the way for her and Alex. She let everyone see so that they could memorize the way to go. Lindsay watched her double-checking their spot on the map and figuring out a path to go.

"You all stay safe," Alex said. "Come for us when you're done."

"The same for you," Lindsay said quietly.

Then the two groups parted, splitting off in different directions. The situation reminded Lindsay of the first time they split up, when she had betrayed them. When she had helped the hive and betrayed it at the same time.

This time, however, she was leading her friends straight to it. This time, she was going to be the one to end things.

They walked in silence, each one holding their water gun tightly. There was nothing to discuss. They knew where to go, and they knew what they were doing. Or rather, they knew what they were going to attempt.

There were no monsters hunting them from the ceiling or the walls now. There was only silence aside from the moaning that came from outside of the mall.

Finally, they reached the store. Lindsay's nose twitched as the horrible stench wafted out at them. Looking closely, she could see movement from within. Shaking, she raised her water gun.

Leonard and Jason stepped forward ahead of her.

"Let us shoot," Jason said. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to."

"I'm going to kill them anyway," Lindsay said quietly. "I'll help."

Jason looked silently at her and she returned his gaze. Finally, they reached the doors and stepped inside, their footsteps echoing throughout the store. They all kept their water guns up.

Leonard started forward ahead of them, leading them to the entrance to the hive's home. Several growled greeted them. They all stopped in their path and looked ahead to see several dogs step out from between the aisles, all glaring at them with their teeth bared.

HaVe YoU cOmE tO fInIsH mE? tO kIlI mE...?

Leonard and Jason began firing. The dogs recoiled, just barely dodging the water. Puddled formed where they struck, forcing the dogs to back up farther.

"Hang on," Lindsay said.

"They'll kill us if we don't fight," Jason said.

"I know, but... just hang on." Lindsay stepped forward, keeping her water gun raised. "I think they want to talk now."

"Of course, they want to talk," Jason said. "You said they were scared, right? Then they're gonna try and trick you again. Don't let them."

hE lIeS. i Am wIlLiNg To PrAcTiCe DiPlOmAcY. pLeAsE, lEt Us NeGoTiAtE.

"It... they... want to discuss things," Lindsay said back.

"Unless it can get us out of here," Jason began, stepping forward. "Unless it can let us go home, I don't wanna hear it."

I cAn Do AlL oF tHoSe ThInGs... PlEaSe, JoIn Me AnD wE CaN dIsCuSs TeRmS... aS i ShOuLd HaVe DoNe FrOm ThE bEgInNiNg. I wIlL eVeN pErMiT yOu To KeEp YoUr WeApOnS.

"It can," Lindsay said. "It'll let us bring the water guns, too."

Jason and Leonard both looked between her and the dogs.

"But we're going to discuss this inside," Lindsay said. "In your home."

The dogs stepped back. Their growling increased.